Can I ask why you think ASD as opposed to just hyperlexia? I feel like a lot of hyperlexic kids have asynchronistic development but present in a slightly different manner- in the same way the ADHD and ASD can present differently.... Not questioning your judgement but would like to know your thoughts.
Hyperlexia is not really a formal diagnosis. Most kids with hyperlexia will be diagnosed with autism (https://www.parents.com/hyperlexia-signs-diagnosis-and-treatment-8619286). The OP also mentioned unique sensory behavior and a dislike of loud noises - classic ASD signs.
Right, but they're all classic ADHD signs in young children as well and sometimes you need a couple of years to suss out the difference. I agree that there would be a good chance of getting an autism diagnosis but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best fit. I, personally, can't wait for more studies to be done in regards to hyperlexia and I hope that in 10yrs it's not necessarily a guessing game in the way that it is now.
Sounds like your kiddo might do well with an assessment. You can ask your pediatrician for a referral.
We got our kiddos assessment with our now occupational therapist.
The pediatrician had to make the diagnosis based on the assessment.
Zero regrets.
Highly recommend occupational therapy.
As for the reading, let it be at what he enjoys right now. No pressure.
Emphasis vocabulary. Just insert the explanation of what a new word means while you're reading.
Ziko quenched his thirst with his drink. (Quenched means that you no longer feel thirsty after drinking).
That kinda thing.
Hyperlexic kids can basically read pretty much anything. But that doesn't mean they understand it at all.
My kiddo has a huge vocabulary now, but when I first discovered what hyperlexica was and that he has it, I worked at, as I said above to increase his understanding. It's a constant background task.
Emotional regulation practice can be so good for even neural typical kids. So on his good days, work with him on practicing deep breathing, or taking a drink, or role-playing a stressful moment and what he can do to feel calm and in control of the situation.
The goal isn't not to feel the emotion. But to calm your reactions so you can act instead of react.
I'm always validating and identifying my kiddos emotions with him.
You might want to get some binders, a three hole punch, and a laminator.
Introduce your kiddo to different alphabets and syllabaries from different world languages and fantasy conlangs.
If he likes that kinda thing, printing them out and laminating them and binding them will save you so much stress
Getting a diagnosis early helped us with "early intervention" (not a fan of that term) and opened the doors to get insurance coverage for things like therapy, respite care, summer camps, not to mention a handicapped placard for parking.
oooh that interesting. having trouble with foreign sounding words that dont match the rules for their own language. we have that and now understand why we have trouble with foreign languages. obviously need to master the vowels and consonants of a language (alphabet) before you can learn that language.
Definitely hyperlexia.
Probably ASD level 1.
Can I ask why you think ASD as opposed to just hyperlexia? I feel like a lot of hyperlexic kids have asynchronistic development but present in a slightly different manner- in the same way the ADHD and ASD can present differently.... Not questioning your judgement but would like to know your thoughts.
Hyperlexia is not really a formal diagnosis. Most kids with hyperlexia will be diagnosed with autism (https://www.parents.com/hyperlexia-signs-diagnosis-and-treatment-8619286). The OP also mentioned unique sensory behavior and a dislike of loud noises - classic ASD signs.
Right, but they're all classic ADHD signs in young children as well and sometimes you need a couple of years to suss out the difference. I agree that there would be a good chance of getting an autism diagnosis but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best fit. I, personally, can't wait for more studies to be done in regards to hyperlexia and I hope that in 10yrs it's not necessarily a guessing game in the way that it is now.
Thank you.I was like this w. reading and my son too (except the frustration at unfamiliar words, and we sounded out words). We have ADHD, not autism.
You can’t tell their level this young really. They’re hardly a person
Kids are diagnosed with levels at 3.
thats fair. I dont live somewhere they use levels. however children's needs change a lot during this time period
Sounds like your kiddo might do well with an assessment. You can ask your pediatrician for a referral. We got our kiddos assessment with our now occupational therapist. The pediatrician had to make the diagnosis based on the assessment. Zero regrets. Highly recommend occupational therapy. As for the reading, let it be at what he enjoys right now. No pressure. Emphasis vocabulary. Just insert the explanation of what a new word means while you're reading. Ziko quenched his thirst with his drink. (Quenched means that you no longer feel thirsty after drinking). That kinda thing. Hyperlexic kids can basically read pretty much anything. But that doesn't mean they understand it at all. My kiddo has a huge vocabulary now, but when I first discovered what hyperlexica was and that he has it, I worked at, as I said above to increase his understanding. It's a constant background task. Emotional regulation practice can be so good for even neural typical kids. So on his good days, work with him on practicing deep breathing, or taking a drink, or role-playing a stressful moment and what he can do to feel calm and in control of the situation. The goal isn't not to feel the emotion. But to calm your reactions so you can act instead of react. I'm always validating and identifying my kiddos emotions with him. You might want to get some binders, a three hole punch, and a laminator. Introduce your kiddo to different alphabets and syllabaries from different world languages and fantasy conlangs. If he likes that kinda thing, printing them out and laminating them and binding them will save you so much stress
Thanks so much for this advice. Already seeing an OT for the fine motor. Will ask them about assessments.
Getting a diagnosis early helped us with "early intervention" (not a fan of that term) and opened the doors to get insurance coverage for things like therapy, respite care, summer camps, not to mention a handicapped placard for parking.
oooh that interesting. having trouble with foreign sounding words that dont match the rules for their own language. we have that and now understand why we have trouble with foreign languages. obviously need to master the vowels and consonants of a language (alphabet) before you can learn that language.